Vernon and district immigrant services society

Employment Assistance Services is a program that provides job search, career educational planning, accreditation assistance and referrals to community employment and support services for eligible participants. The services are at no cost to you and are designed to prepare and help you find a job.

Employment Assistance Services at VDISS are a great link for job seekers like you, specifically if you need Canadian certification. Our trained counselors are culturally sensitive and flexible, fluent in various languages and have experienced the settlement and job search process in Canada.

Clients should have a valid Social Insurance Number and be eligible to work in Canada.
Whatever the language level or whether you are seeking an entry level or professional position, the staff at VDISS are here to support you in finding and maintaining employment.

You may access our services by phoning or visiting the Vernon and District Immigrant Services Society. The friendly staff will direct you to one-on-one employment counseling, provide you with current Canadian job seeking skills and support, focusing on developing a "return to work action plan"; this can include assistance with foreign credential recognition. Skilled and supportive counselors will help you with short and long-term strategies, to give you the tools you need for a successful job search!

Childcare is offered on-site for children of eligible clients.

Employment Services

• Foreign Credential Assessment Assistance
• Trades Recognition Qualifications Coaching
• Career Planning and Exploration
• Information on Hidden Job Market
• Job Board
• Assistance with Resumes and Cover Letters
• Workshops
  • Computer skills for job search
  • Writing resumes and cover letters
  • Preparing for job interviews
  • Networking: how to access the hidden job market
  • Preparation for Language Testing: TOEFL, LPI, TSE and IELTS
  • Occupational Coaching- building industry specific vocabulary
  • Canadian employer expectations
  • Self-employment; this workshop will assist clients to assess their entrepreneurial skills and provide information on regulations and requirements for starting a new business in Canada
• Computer Lab
  • how to create a free email account
  • how to email your resume effectively
  • Simply Accounting Tutorials
  • Windows XP and Windows 7
  • Microsoft Office Software (Word 2007, Excel 2007, Power Point 2007, Outlook 2007 and Access 2007)
  • Microsoft Language Pack (Japanese, Korean and Chinese)
• Resource Center
• Telephone, Photocopier and Fax
• Referrals to Community Agencies

 

"I have been in Canada for 6 years in 3 different provinces; VDISS is the only place where I received professional guidance, which played a major role in obtaining my job as a Integrated Care Coordinator with IHA, Thanks!"

"The employment counselors understand New Canadians with different backgrounds and cultures: I don't feel like a number, I get treated like a human being at VDISS!"

"The Employment Counselors have an excellent and professional attitude, in addition to understanding the background of other cultures."

"The staff was willing to gather information, give their time and most of all they really care about what I've accomplished with their help."

"I received personal counseling from incredibly helpful staff! Encouraging, uplifting, definitely positive!"

"I have learned that the Canadian approach is different than the way in my home country. - I have learned more in one month of computer class, than in the last two years."

"You are the best source of information and assistance for New Immigrants settling in Canada. The Job Search Program and computer lab helped me the most in my job search."